Reading is my favorite past time. I enjoy opening a book and knowing that there will always be a new experience. My genre of choice is romance. Whether contemporary or historical, series or standalone. I love them all.

Liv had her life all figured out until it was shattered by the loss of her husband. He left her a piece of him she hadn’t planned on. How can she pick up the pieces when she doesn’t know how?

Liv:

I never imagined my life would end up this way. I thought I had everything figured out until I got the call my husband was killed in a car accident and that my period was late.

Dead Husband?: Check

Positive Pregnancy Test?: Check

Screwed Beyond Belief?: Double Check

Luke:

I was never supposed to see her again. That was the deal. Leave her and my ex-best friend behind to finally mend my broken heart and move on with life. And it was going smoothly, too. That is, until said ex-best friend dies and his wife, Liv, lets a secret slip at his funeral that I can’t possibly ignore.

Out of my freaking mind?: Check

Extremely Angry Girlfriend who will kill me when she finds out I have a new roommate?: Check

What a title. What a talent. What a story. Liv is one woman's quest to pick up the pieces of her shattered life and broken heart. Tragedy brings many emotions for Liv. The love of her life is gone and more stunning surprises await. A pregnancy and second chance at happiness. If she can move beyond the past and take a chance on the future. Ms. Rae lures readers into a world of heartbreaking loss, unexpected new beginnings and forgiveness in this realistic and emotional romance.

As I open the large oak doors of the funeral home and walk down the steps to help calm my rolling stomach, a familiar hand touches my shoulder gently. I quickly turn around and see Luke Jensen, Adam’s best friend. My best friend, too, once upon a time.

He looks good. Really good. At just over six-feet tall with a muscular build, semi-short brown hair, and the greenest eyes you’ve ever seen, he’s always been a favorite among the female population, and I can’t blame them.

While I haven’t seen him since our graduation five years ago, I can’t help but feel the pull of our friendship like it was yesterday. Even if I am a little hesitant to rekindle it after his disappearing act all those years ago.

“Liv,” he says, in his deep, familiar voice.

“Luke,” I reply with a small smile.

“How are things?”

I look at him like he must be crazy.

“Really?” I reply, feeling the urge to cry and laugh simultaneously at his ludicrous question.

He runs his fingers through his dark hair and sighs.

“I guess that’s not the smartest question, is it?” His lips tilt upwards on one side. “I’m really sorry about Adam, Liv,” he says, sobering.

“I know.” My eyes feel glassy. “It doesn’t feel real.”

I’m drained, both emotionally and physically. I walk over to a nearby wooden bench along the front walkway a short distance away from the funeral home. I motion for Luke to follow me, hoping to give us a little more privacy.

“What are you going to do?” he asks.

I assume he’s talking about the house signing next week, and I let out an exasperated sigh, swallowing the lump in my throat.

I wish the new house was the only thing I had to worry about.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out, shocked by my bluntness. I was never very good at keeping secrets from him.

Luke’s eyes shoot to mine, but I can’t hold his stare for long. I look to the cobblestone beneath my heels and pick at some non-existent lint on my conservative black knee-length dress.

I hear him curse under his breath before asking hesitantly, “Did he know?”

I bite my lip and slowly shake my head, avoiding eye contact.

“Nope. I found out this morning. He’s not even here to crack a joke about how he slipped one past the goalie,” I smirk at Luke, feeling a tear slide down my cheek.

He chuckles as he wipes the moisture away.

“Sounds about right.” He smiles tenderly, and I know he’s remembering his friend. Adam and his inappropriate jokes. I shake my head, fondly. I love that about him.

Loved. He’s not here anymore. I sober immediately.

It’s as if Luke remembers Adam’s gone the same moment I do. His smile slowly disappears, and he asks again, quietly, “What are you going to do?”

I pause, trying to shake the overwhelming feeling of abandonment gnawing at my stomach.

What am I going to do?

About Kelsie

Kelsie prides herself on writing straight from her own heart, which is how she fell into sweet contemporary romance. She's a sucker for a love story with all the feels. When she's not chasing words for her next book, you will probably find her reading or, more likely, playing with her "monsters".

She adores chocolate, photography, baking, chick flicks, and running. And now that she's actively pursuing her writing dreams, she's set her sights on someday finding the self-discipline to not eat an entire batch of cookies in one sitting.